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 12th April 1998 |
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 HOME BY A WHISKER -- Sri Lankan wicket keeper Romesh Kaluwitharana attempts to run out Pakistani batsman Ijaz Ahmed during the one-day match at the Boland Stadium in Paarl on Thursday. Pakistan romped to a 110 run victory over Sri Lanka in their one day international match in Paarl to move closer to a final against South Africa. - Reuters |
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Sanath (120 pts.) still heads CEAT ratingsSanath Jayasuriya, with 120 points heads the ratings of the CEAT International Cricketer of the Year 1997/98 as on April 8th 1998 followed by India's Sachin Tendulkar who has 97 points. The others in order are: Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) 94 points. Meanwhile Australia head the rankings with 77 points as the CEAT International Cricket team of the year 1997/98 as on April 8, issued through the courtesy of R.S. Hartley and Company Limited. Pakistan with 70 points is in second position followed by South Africa 63 points. Sri Lanka-60 points, India-49 points, New Zealand-and England with 43 points each, West Indies 34 points and Zimbabwe with 20 points.
Lanka in search of Easter miracleBy Marlon FernandopulleSri Lanka captain, Arjuna Ranatunge will be hoping for an Easter miracle to resurrect his team's chances of making it to the finals in the Tri-Nation tournament when Sri Lanka meet South Africa tomorrow (Monday). Beaten in the first three matches in the Triangular Series, the World Champions still have an outside chance of qualifying for the finals. They have to win all three of the remaining matches and also hope that the losers of yesterday's game, between Pakistan and South Africa, do not win another game in the tournament. Indeed a very remote possibility, however a semblance of a chance still remains. On the performance todate, hosts South Africa and Pakistan certainly look the better sides to meet in the Finals. Although they carry the tag of world one-day champions, Sri Lanka have displayed their weakness against genuine pace on fast tracks. Their usually reliable top order caved into Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis on Thursday in the first ten overs, and never recovered to overhaul Pakistan's modest 249 all out. Tomorrow the Lankans will be up against the South Africans. New find fast bowlers Roger Telemachus and Steve Elworthy will probably remind the Sri Lankans of Thursday night. Both bowlers have already made their mark and figured out how to contain the flow of runs from the Lankan batsmen. Maintaining a tidy line and length, the South African bowlers rarely give the much required width to the Lankan batsmen, who are then easily frustrated and committed to make mistakes. Thus it will take a lot of thinking from the Lankan batsmen to effectively counter and get on top of the South African attack. To make matters worse for the Lankans their dashing opener Sanath Jayasuriya although scoring back to back fifties in the first two games looks a bit out of sorts. His usual flamboyance and explosive hitting in the early overs that puts the bowlers off their rhythm has taken a back seat. It's a clear indication that the left hander is not batting at his best. Aravinda De Silva is also overdue for a match winning innings. The world class player has got off to a good start but has not been able to convert his score to a big one. The Lankan batting depends so much on Jayasuriya and De Silva today that their failure spells disaster for the World Champions. Wicket-keeper batsman Romesh Kaluwitharana who relishes his opening slot, especially on fast tracks should play himself in for a couple of overs before attempting to hit against the swing and over the top. He must make up his mind to bat through the first 15 overs and support Jayasuriya in helping Sri Lanka to a rollicking start. One reason for Lanka's debacle in the one dayers has been their fielding. Surprisingly, it has dropped to a very low standard. Both the ground fielding and catching has been far below what the world champions are usually renowned for. Fielding in one dayers has to be spot on and even half chances must be snatched if any team is to excel and get the better of their opponents. The South African tour has been a disaster to date. Sri Lanka lost the two Tests and have already lost three one-dayers. Being the world champions they have to prove that they are capable of beating any team on their day.
Radella Hill ClimbThe Annual Radella Hill Climb will be held on April 15. This will be a competitive event just before the Fox Hill Super Cross, organised by SLARDAR. Many fast racing cars have come in the recent past and all eyes will be on them. Cars like Subaru Inpressa of Pradeep jayawardena who did well at the recent Katukurunda race, veterans Cassim Wahab, Aravinda Premadasa will be hotly challenged.
Ponting propels Australia into FinalNew Delhi - Ricky Ponting blasted 145 to help Australia beat Zimbabwe by 16 runs yesterday and sail into the final of the three-nation one-day tournament. The Australians, put into bat by Zimbabwe, piled up 294 for three in their 50 overs, a total which proved too much for their opponents who scored 278 for nine in reply. Australia meet hosts India in the final in New Delhi on Tuesday. Zimbabwe made a spirited response to Australia's daunting target but were reined in by some accurate pace bowling by Damien Fleming and Michael Kasprowicz. Ponting's 145 came off 157 balls and equalled Dean Jones's highest individual Australian score in one-day cricket. Jones scored 145 against England in Brisbane in 1990. Ponting and Mark Waugh, shared a partnership of 219, an Australian one-day record for the second wicket, surpassing the 185 stand shared by Jones and Geoff Marsh against England in Brisbane in 1990. Australia lost their first wicket in the second over when opener Adam Gilchrist edged seamer Mpumelelo Mbangwa to wicket-keeper Andy Flower and was out for one. Ponting, who hit 18 fours and a six in his belligerent innings, reached his 50 off only 45 balls with an exquisite square cut off Guy Whittall. His six came from a towering shot over square leg off leg-spinner Adam Huckle. Guy Whittall came in for severe punishment and was thrashed for 30 runs in his first three overs. His five overs conceded 52 runs but he gained revenge by having Ponting brilliantly caught by Mbangwa at deep mid-on. Waugh, who anchored the innings, mixed patience with aggression. His 87 included four fours and one six over mid-wicket off Huckle. Waugh was bowled by a yorker from Heath Streak while going for an on drive. Michael Bevan, dropped first ball by Andy Whittall at point off Streak, remained unbeaten with 33. Zimbabwe started shakily and lost captain Alistair Campbell in the second over. He was caught by Steve Waugh at point off Kasprowicz for one. Murray Goodwin accelerated the scoring with a brisk 46 but perished going for a big hit against Steve Waugh and was caught by Michael Kasprowicz at long off. Brothers Grant and Andy Flower put together a fighting partnership of 121 for the third wicket. Grant Flower, who hit 89 off 125 balls, was bowled after being deceived in the air by leg spinner Shane Warne. Andy Flower scored a breezy 73 off 67 balls but was run out by Mark Waugh in trying to steal a single. His 50 came off 39 balls. Zimbabwe faltered after the fall of Andy Flower and lost seven wickets for 40 runs as they hit out in vain search of victory." - Reuters
Nothing is sweet, without effortShaiza Khan, the Pakistan women's cricket captain says...By Bandula JayasekeraA powerful fourteen-member Pakistan women's cricket team is currently in Sri Lanka to play one Test match and three one-day internationals, against their Lankan counterparts. The Sunday Times met them on arrival at Hotel Sapphire in Colombo to for an exclusive interview.
Apart from her ardent devotion to cricket, Shaiza has time to spare to attain maximum educational qualifications. She is currently studying for her PhD in the Textile Industry. When asked to describe how she developed an interest in cricket, Shaiza said, "I was always keen in playing and watching cricket. I started playing cricket as early as at five". She added that later on in her cricketing career, she had faced a lot of problems to promote the sport. She elaborated on how the fundamentalists disrupted Pakistan's first ever women's match again-st the Pakistan stars. "I had to come to terms with the fundamentalists in Pakistan. They made life so difficult. They held street protests and we were locked inside the stadium". She said that the following match against the Pakistan 'greats' (like Miandad and Abbas) wasn't any better. The match, she said, had to be abandoned due to death threats to her and some of her team members. However, today, the fundamentalists have realised her passion for cricket. "They have realised that I am doing something good for the nation as a whole. As a result, they have extended their utmost support to me and the team, as long as we don't play against men", said Shaiza Khan. Shaiza is most revered for her sacrifice to develop women's cricket
nationally and globally. She parted with a considerable amount of her money
to develop the sport. She sadly noted that her efforts may not be fruitful
due to the lack of adequate grounds back home. When asked to comment on their chances against Sri Lanka, she said, "We haven't seen Sri Lanka play often. We are not underestimating them because they reached the World Cup Finals. We have come here to win and are very optimistic. Another player of repute in the touring side is 20 year old Kiran Baluch. Having played competitive cricket for Kent, she said that cricket had helped her to meet different people the world over. She respects Mark Waugh for his temperament, Darren Gough for his aggression, and Saqlain for his intelligence. Kiran had glittering comments for World champions, Sri Lanka. The Sunday Times also had the opportunity to speak to the managers of the touring party. Shaiza Shabbir and Uzma Yousuf have a strong educational background which they carry into the game of cricket. The managers of the team take the Sri Lankan assignment as a challenge. "Women's cricket is a new leaf in Pakistan. It is both dignified and impressive, and we derive an ego boost from it", said both in unison. They said that they expect the girls to perform well in Sri Lanka and turn the tables. Hasan Raza is their new coach, having taken over from the Australian, Judi Davis, three weeks ago.
Crucial stage for women's cricket as deadline nearsBy M.H.M. ManasiqueThe battle for control over Women's cricket in Sri Lanka is entering a decisive stage with one day left for a legal deadline set by the sports ministry. Sports Minister S.B. Dissanayake had on January 13 declared women's cricket to be a national sport and gave three months for various groups involved in it to submit applications for recognition as the national controlling body. That deadline ends tomorrow, but one of the principal groups in the dispute — the Women's Cricket Association headed by a former minister's wife Gwen Herath — is refusing to apply for recognition Ms. Herath who has been actively promoting women's cricket for the past few decades says the WCASL has been recognized by the international controlling body and thus should be recognised as such and qualifies to be the national body. She feels the sports ministry move is politically motivated and that some vested interests or women's lobbies are behind it. According to a sports ministry official, only one group has so far applied for recognition as the controlling body for women's cricket. This group including several women's cricket clubs is putting forward a Women's Affair's Minister Hema Ratnayake for election as president of the controlling body while wives of at least three other ministers will also be in it. Ms. Herath is however insisting that WSACL has been recognized by the International Women's Cricket Conference (IWCC) and that she will go on with her promotional work with or without any official recognition. She claims the IWCC has given her association approval to send a team for the World Cup for the year 2000 and she is going ahead with preparations. At the invitation of the WCASL a women's cricket team from Pakistan is now in Sri Lanka to play one unofficial Test and three one-day matches against the Lankan team selected by a WCASL panel. If Ms. Herath goes ahead with her plans and if the sports ministry recognizes another association as the national controlling body, then Sri Lanka would find itself on a shaky wicket with women cricketers wondering where and for whom to play.
Ismathdeen heads Old Zahirians SCMohamed Faleel Mohamed Ismathdeen JP, was unanimously re-elected President of the Old Zahirians Sports Club (Colombo) for the third successive year at the 30th Annual General Meeting held recently at N.D.H. Abdul Ghaffoor Hall, Zahira College, Colombo. All the other office bearers were returned unanimously. Patron : M.Razick Zarook Chairman, Board of Governors, Zahira College. Colombo. Vice-Patrons : Dr. I.A. Ismail, Principal, Zahira College, Colombo. Nowfel S. Jabir, A.H.S. Hussein Farook JP, A.H.M.Fowzie MP, M.Alavi Mowlana MP, A.H.M. Azwer MP, M.M. Zuhair MP, M.F.Amirdeen JP, P.Balasingham, S.S. Issadeen. President : M.F.M Ismathdeen JP Vice-Presidents: M. S. M. Rauff, A. R. M. Aroos JP, M. Fawzan Anver, M. N. Ameer Mukthar, M. U. M. Azmi. Secretary : M. Nuhuman Hussain JP. Asst.Secretary : M. S. M. Faumie. Treasurer : M. Y. Mohamed. Asst.Treasurer : M. H. S. M. Fazal. Ground and Pavillion Secretary: S. D. Kuthubdeen. Social Secretary : M. F. Hameed. Committee Members : H. H. M. Aly, T. M. N. Hamid, M. N. A. Samadth, A. Aslam Thowfeek, M. N. Ghaffoor, M. S. Macan Markar, R. N. R. Daniel, A. M. Naina Mohamed, M. Alavi Mukthar, M. S. Iqbal Hussain. Auditor: M. Ali Azeez.
More Sports * President's College win on higher run-rate * Kalutara's Wilson bags another milestone * Earth Summit lands top steeplechasing prize easily * Row erupts over Sydney Olympics * The great betrayal * Lankan women thrash Pakistanis * Tiger's latest approach at Masters * Briefly * Asian Wings donate 'Ahmed Didi Cup' * England faces rugby banishment * Negombo triumph * Cicero as President
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Skipper
Shaiza Khan, a pioneer in introducing womens cricket at national and international
level in Pakistan, and the first non-British to captain the University
of Leeds, is one of the most experienced individuals in the side. She also
had a stint with the prominent county club Middlesex in England.